REGION

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. To find the nearest center, text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. You also can visit www.fema.gov/disaster- recovery-centers.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance applications need to be filed by Feb. 4 with the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The financial assistance is available to self-employed individuals and many hourly workers who were living or working in the state at the time of the disaster and who were left unemployed as a direct result of the damages. Applications can be backdated to the time immediately after the storm. As of Jan. 22, the department had received 4,205 applications. To register, visit www.njuifile.net or call 201-601-4100, 732-761-2020, 856-507-2340 or 888-795-6672.

Clean Ocean Action, which has begun its 2013 post-Sandy cleanup and community support program calendar, offers a Feb. 23 sweep, "Helping Hands at Home," matching volunteers with homeowners. Other events will help clean up natural areas and push for responsible restoration of the shore, organizers say. For more information online, visit fortheshore.org.

Monmouth County Library is offering English conversation classes - free to adults learning to speak the language - at three locations. The beginner sessions at library headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, are 4 p.m. Tuesdays or 10 a.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 7. Intermediate session are offered 7 p.m. Tuesdays. The sessions at the eastern branch, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, are 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The Ocean Township Library, 501 Deal Road, offers an English as a Second Language class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Students are asked to bring a pencil and notebook to class.

Free insurance seminars for homeowners and businesses affected by superstorm Sandy will be conducted at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch on Route 35 in Shrewsbury. Presenters are Joseph A. Porcelli, insurance law attorney, and Jennifer Wilson, licensed public adjuster. For information, call 866-941-8188 or visit www.monmouthcountylib.org.

The Barbara Forfar Nursing Scholarship Fund, in conjunction with the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar, will sponsor "Rock for the Nurses - Rock for the Shore" from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 21 at River Rock's 1600 Route 70 location in Brick. For information about the fund and the event, visit www.forfarscholarship.org.

The Bradley Beach Memorial Weekend Festival is looking for vendors to participate in its two-day celebration on May 25 and 26. Early registration costs for nonfood vendors and food vendors are: prior to March 1, $125 and $225, respectively; from March 2 to May 1 costs are $160 and $250, respectively; and after May 1, $185 and $275, respectively. Applications available at www.bradleybeachonline.com or by email mwhile@monmouth.com. Prepaid reserved parking at the North End beachfront lot also is available at $30 for two days.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

ABERDEEN: The Special Olympics bowling competition will be Saturday at Ocean Lanes on Route 88 in Lakewood. Bowling times are 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. for ages 22 to 29 and 16 to 21 and all ramps users and from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 8 to 15.

The southern end of the boardwalk is expected to open by mid-May. As portions of the boardwalk are repaired and inspected, they will open for public access.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS: New flood elevation maps are available on the municipal website at www.ahnj.com.

The Borough Council will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 13.

AVON: The borough Planning Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the municipal building.

BRADLEY BEACH: The Municipal Court has relocated to the Neptune City municipal complex, 106 W. Sylvania Ave., Neptune City. The new phone number is 732-775-1690. Mayor Gary Engelstad will have office hours from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at borough hall, 701 Main St.

The Bradley Beach Environmental Commission, along with the borough elementary school environmental club, will sponsor beach cleanups from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday Feb. 2 and Feb. 16. Volunteers should meet at the Evergreen Avenue boardwalk.

BELMAR: Tickets are available for the March 10 Belmar Restaurant Tour at www.visitbelmarnj.com, Brandl restaurant, and 10th Ave. Burrito in Belmar Plaza. Ticket prices are $30 through March 9 and $35 on the day of the tour. For more information, email tourism@boro.belmar.nj.us or call 732-747-4449.

BRIELLE: Leaf collection ends Thursday and will resume April 14. Wood chips and mulch are available to all borough residents. Call 732-528-9389. Borough officials are reminding residents that no vehicles may be parked on snow-covered streets.

COLTS NECK: Colts Neck High School will serve as the venue for a fundraiser and awareness event Saturday related to a enzyme deficiency. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., those who attend can learn about dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, or DPD, an enzyme. People who are deficient of it can suffer from progressive muscle stiffness, seizures and lack of muscle control. A goal has been set to raise $350,000 to fund drug research. Information on the event is available by calling 732-644-3908 or by visiting www.dpddeficiency.com.

Property owners have until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 to pay first-quarter taxes. Brush will not be picked up until the spring at a date to be announced in the future.

EATONTOWN: Court Appointed Special Advocates - volunteers who represent the interest of abused and neglected children as they go through the court system - will host an information session for potential new volunteers at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 in the CASA of Monmouth County office at 40 Broad St. The meeting is being offered in advance of full training in April. No specific experience is needed, but volunteers should be compassionate and objective.

Brush and leaf pickup is suspended this month; only Christmas trees will be collected.

FREEHOLDTOWNSHIP: CentraState Medical Center, 901 W. Main St., is launching its women's heart program with an open house Feb. 18. Free screenings, heart health information and heart-healthy refreshments will be offered to celebrate the program's launch and women's heart health awareness month. Cholesterol screenings are available for $10. The program's goal is to identify women at risk for cardiovascular disease and modify risk factors. Heart disease remains the single largest health threat for women in the U.S., claiming almost 420,000 lives each year.

HAZLET: The Township Committee is scheduled to meet Feb. 5, with an executive session at 7 p.m. and the public meeting at 8 p.m.. The meeting will be at the township municipal building, 1766 Union Ave.

HIGHLANDS: Donations are being accepted to help rebuild the borough after Sandy. Checks can be made payable to HBP - Hope for Highlands, P.O. Box 375, Highlands, NJ 07732. Donations also can be made via the borough's website.

HOLMDEL: The Holmdel Community Church will host a roast turkey dinner dinner March 9. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, cranberry relish and award-winning coleslaw will be served at four seatings that day at the church, 40 W. Main St. (Route 520). Seatings will begin at 4 p.m and then each hour afterward hourly at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Take-out meals will be available for $15 each. Reservations are necessary. Contact Sharon Wessel to order by calling 732-431-2372 or by emailing swe456ssel@aol.com.

HOWELL: The township library, 318 Old Tavern Road, will be hosting a Festive Flutes concert at 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information call 732-938-2300.

Kindergarten registration is open for children who will be 5 by Oct. 1. Online registration will be available through Thursday on the district website at www.howell.k12.nj.us or by calling 732-751-2480, ext. 3807.

KEANSBURG: The borough school district is providing weekly parent and guardian support groups to assist families devastated by superstorm Sandy. The group meets at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the School-Based Youth Service Program office in Trailer 7 behind Keansburg High School. For more information, call Therese Hendrickson at 732-787-2007, ext. 2550.

LAKECOMO: The borough has established the Lake Como Relief Fund to provide assistance. Donations can be made at www.lakecomonj.org. Residents in need should call Borough Administrator Louise Mekosh at 732-681-3232.

LITTLE SILVER: Seven Bridges Road will remain closed until the middle of April because superstorm Sandy delayed the replacement project.

The borough Recreation Department is accepting spring sports registrations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at town hall or online at register.communitypass.net/littlesilver.

LOCHARBOUR: The village Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the municipal building.

LONG BRANCH: The Long Branch Police Department is seeking candidates for the position of special law enforcement officers. The vacancies are seasonal, with officers working from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Applications will be handed out at noon Feb. 2, during an open house at City Hall, second floor, 344 Broadway. For more information, call 732-222-1000, ext. 5689.

The annual polar bear plunge has been relocated from Seaside Heights to Long Branch this year because of superstorm Sandy. The plunge, which led thousands to jump in the ocean last year to raise more than $1.4 million for Special Olympics New Jersey, will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at Pier Village. All plungers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate. More information is available at www.njpolarplunge.org.

MARLBORO: Township offices are closed Fridays. The new hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The Recreation Department will not be affected by the modified hours of operation and will continue to function on a Monday-through-Friday schedule.

St. Catherine's Parish will hold an Elvis concert to benefit the Port Monmouth Community Church, which was damaged by Sandy. The Feb. 23 concert will feature Anthony Liguori as Elvis. Tickets are $25. To purchase, call Pastor Daniel C. Hesko at 732-922-9286 or St. Catherine's office at 732-787-1318.The bridge at Bray Avenue and Pews Creek is closed until further notice to vehicular traffic as crews repair storm damage. Pedestrian traffic is permitted.

The township Health Department animal control office will be open until 7 pm tonight to give residents the opportunity to renew dog licenses before the end of January. A $5 late fee will be charged for renewals starting Feb. 1. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The office is at the Croydon Hall administrative building, 900 Leonardville Road.

NEPTUNE: Three nonprofit organizations will offer a free mold remediation workshop from 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Asbury Park Press building, 3601 Highway 66. Presented by the Affordable Housing Alliance, Neighbor Works America and the National Center for Healthy Housing, the day's morning and afternoon sessions will cover topics such as proper tear-out procedures, health risks and retrofit upgrade considerations for energy savings. Registration by Feb. 8 is encouraged. Further information is available by emailing aha-development@ housingall.org or by calling 732-389-2958.

NEPTUNECITY: The Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. today.

The Monmouth County Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services will present "Emotional Healing From Sandy: Healthy Coping Skills and Available Resources" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Monmouth County Connection, 3544 Route 66.

OCEANPORT: Oceanport Emergency Management continues to operate an information and resource center at Port-au-Peck Firehouse on Myrtle Avenue for borough residents. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdsays. Emergency management officials will provide information on disaster assistance, connect residents with volunteer groups to help with recovery, and provide new clothing, cleaning supplies and assorted food items.

OCEANTOWNSHIP: Township Little League registration will run online until Feb. 11. Registration can be done on the league's website, otll.org. For information, contact Tom Ankiewicz, the league's president, at info@otll.org.

RED BANK: The Friends of the Red Bank Public Library will be holding their fourth annual used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the library, 84 W. Front St. There will be a 9 a.m. opening with a $10 admission fee. The event will be kicked off with preview reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Admission for the reception is $20. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Red Bank Public Library. For information, call the library at 732-842-0690.

SEA BRIGHT: The borough will hold a series of town hall meetings dedicated to superstorm Sandy recovery. The meetings will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Feb. 6.

A curfew remains in effect between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. for residential side streets. The curfew does not apply to Ocean Avenue, said Borough Administrator Joe Verruni.

For residents without Internet access, two computers are available in the borough hall gym.

SHREWSBURY: Kindergarten registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 14 for children who are 5 years old by Oct. 1. Parents should call the school at 732-747-0882, ext. 110, for registration forms, medical forms and an appointment time. Parents also should complete the census form from the school website at www.sbs.k12.nj.us/sbs/ and either email it to galantel@sbs.k12.nj.us or fax 732-747-7510. To complete the registration process, the school requires an original birth certificate, immunization forms and proof of residency along with the completed registration.

TINTONFALLS: The Ranney Middle School's art and literacy magazine, "The MAG," was nationally recognized with awards from Columbia and American scholastic press associations for editions in the 2011-12 school year, according to school officials. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association granted "The MAG" the Gold Award, and the American Scholastic Press Association gave it a first place award with special merit, according to school officials.

The borough council is scheduled to meet 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the municipal building.

WEST LONG BRANCH: The borough Police Department and Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 141 will celebrate the career of Police Chief Arthur N. Cosentino with a retirement party Feb. 8. Cosentino dedicated nearly 37 years of service to the borough. The event will take place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Branches Catering, 123 Monmouth Road. Tickets are $65 per person and can be obtained through Sgt. Jim Gomez or Lt. Paul Habermann at 732-229-5000. Checks should be made payable to PBA Local 141.

OCEAN COUNTY

BARNEGAT: Recycling will be collected every other week until further notice.

BAY HEAD: Standard garbage retrieval has resumed, and collection includes back- and side-yard retrieval. Curbside storm debris removal has ended; summonses will be issued if garbage is left on the curb.

BEACH HAVEN: The Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting its annual turkey dinner Feb. 16 at the firehouse, Bay Avenue and Amber Street. Call 609-713-0381 or 609-492-6007 for more information.

BERKELEY: Dog owners have until Wednesday to obtain annual licenses for their pets. The licenses are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily in the town hall meeting room. Cat owners also are required to license their pets, but have until the end of June to do so. To obtain a license, the animal's rabies vaccination must be valid at least through November.

BRICK: The IHOP here will celebrate National Pancake Day on Feb. 5 with free pancakes and fundraising to benefit the Children's Specialized Hospitals. For information, to see if another local IHOP is participating or to donate, go to ihoppancakeday.com.

Modern Group, one of the nation's leading distributors of fork lifts, construction equipment, warehouse equipment and power systems, has opened a new branch in the township focused to help those in need from the recent superstorm Sandy. The new branch is at 96 Mantoloking Road and can be reached by calling 732-484-8491.

JACKSON: The early childhood education Goddard School is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an open event from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 9 at 178 W. Veterans Highway. The free event will feature hands-on child activities, a magic show, crafts, games, face painting and more. For more information, call 732-833-8881.

LACEY: The school district will host a forum on school safety at 6 p.m. tonight at the Lacey Middle School. Community leaders, school management, school psychology and social work experts will be on hand to talk to parents and residents. For information, contact Superintendent Sandra D. Brower at 609-971-2001.

LAKEWOOD: Lakewood Elks 1432 will host a charity ball beginning 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Elks lodge on West Kennedy Boulevard. Money from the event will benefit special-needs children at Camp Moore. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased at the Elks. For more information call 732-740-9672.

Georgian Court University will host a discussion on the current status of the nuclear power plants in Fukushima, Japan, and Oyster Creek from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Dorothy Marron University Community Chapel at the Lakewood campus. The free discussion is open to the public, and no reservations are required. For more information, call the college Department of Holistic Health at 732-987-2663 or Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch at 732-240-5107.

The township Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Lakewood Middle School auditorium, 755 Somerset Ave. The district will discuss the reconfiguration of the Lakewood Middle School's sixth-grade students who will be attending the school starting in the 2013-14 school year.

The Township Committee will recognize kidney donors at the municipal meeting Feb. 7. Anyone who has made such a donation should contact Deputy Mayor Steven Langert at 732-364-2500, ext. 5973, so a proclamation can be prepared in the donor's honor.

Georgian Court University will continue to offer monthly parent/student workshops geared toward college readiness. The next meetings are scheduled for 7 to 8 p.on Feb. 28 and March 21 at the Lakewood High School library.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will be holding a general membership and orientation meeting at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 21. Members and nonmembers are invited to attend at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, 2 Augusta Blvd.

Georgian Court University will be hosting a financial aid workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place at 10 a.m. in the Little Theatre on GCU's Lakewood campus. The event is open to prospective students and their families, and topics for discussion may include Financial Aid 101, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and how financial eligibility is determined. Campus tours also will be offered.

LAVALLETTE: The Borough Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Lavallette Elementary School, 105 Brooklyn Ave.

LONG BEACHTOWNSHIP: The St. Francis Food Pantry has returned to the community center, 4700 Long Beach Blvd. The pantry had been operating at the Southern Ocean Service Center on Route 9 in Stafford since superstorm Sandy. The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and will continue to assist those affected by Sandy.

MANCHESTER: Health coaches from the Center for Healthy Aging at Kimball Medical Center will present a free program from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the township library branch, 21 Colonial Drive, about sex and intimacy for people older than 60. Registration is required; call 732-657-7600.

MANTOLOKING: Access passes for residents and contractors are available at the Public Works Department from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

OCEAN GATE: Mayor Paul J. Kennedy said he expects boardwalk construction to begin by late February. The work will include demolition and debris removal as well as piling and header replacements - an 85 percent to 90 percent total rebuild, he said.

PLUMSTED: The Township Committee will conduct a budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday at New Egypt High School.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: Dog owners are required to license their pets by month's end. The cost is $10 for spayed or neutered dogs and $13 if not. A copy of the animal's rabies certificate, which must be valid at least through October, is needed. Checks may be mailed to 416 New Jersey Ave.

POINT PLEASANT: The borough will continue to collect storm debris by appointment through Friday. Appointments can be made by contacting the Department of Public Works at 732-892-1287.

SEASIDEHEIGHTS: The annual polar bear plunge has been relocated from Seaside Heights to Long Branch this year because of superstorm Sandy. The plunge, which led thousands to jump in the ocean last year to raise more than $1.4 million for Special Olympics New Jersey, will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at Pier Village. All plungers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate. More information is available at www.njpolarplunge.org.

A benefit for the borough's residents and businesses hurt by superstorm Sandy will be held in from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 8 at 440 Madison Hill Road, Clark, off Garden State Parkway Exit 135. Admission is $60 and will feature The Gran Centurions. For information call Vito and Vince Gagliardi at 908-577-6232.

SOUTHTOMS RIVER: Residents have until Thursday to obtain annual licenses for their pets. The licenses are available from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily at the Borough Clerk's Office.

To obtain a license, pets must have a current rabies vaccination. After Thursday, summonses will be issued for failure to obtain a license.

STAFFORD: The next Township Committee meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the municipal complex, 260 E. Bay Ave.

TOMSRIVER: Monsignor Donovan High School will hold an open house for prospective students during Catholic Schools Week, starting Feb. 3. Incoming freshman to the Class of 2017 and transfer students are welcome to tour the school and talk with teachers and student ambassadors. For more information, call the admissions office at 732-349-8801, ext. 2426.

"The History and Making of the Native American Love Flute" will be presented at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at Ocean County College in Room A117 of the Arts & Community Center (Building 18) on the main campus on College Drive. The event is sponsored by the OCC Music Club. Admission is free and open to the public. Angel Camilo, OCC dean of adjunct faculty, along with his wife, Krista Camilo, an OCC instructor of mathematics, will present a lecture, demonstration and samples of recorded music.

The Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., will host the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players as they present "Mozart the Boy Wonder" 2 p.m. Feb. 24. The free program traces Wolfgang Mozart's development from child prodigy to master composer and demonstrates the ingenious techniques that define his musical style. Registration, which is required, is possible by calling 732-349-6200 or 609-971-0514.

The 38th Ocean County Bluegrass Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 at Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mills Road. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children 11 and younger. For information visit alberthall.org.

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In your town: What's going on in your community after Sandy

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